We were delighted this week to make a new home in the Robinson College Archive for the College's Foundation Charter (RCGR 1/1/1). This Royal Charter is the instrument of incorporation founding Robinson College as a formal legal entity. As per the custom, Royal Charters are sealed with the monarch's Great Seal - ours therefore bears a beautiful example of the Great Seal of Queen Elizabeth II.
A rare treat for the College Archive, we were briefly home to the extraordinary model of the College in miniature which was made to celebrate Sir David Robinson's 80th birthday in April 1984. Made by renowned jewellery maker, Vicki Ambery-Smith, the model usually takes pride of place in the College Silver collection (looked after by Sarah Harold, one of our longest-serving members of staff).
One area of the College Archive in which there are many gaps is what is loosely termed the 'ephemera' collections - flyers, leaflets, posters, term cards, programmes, tickets, photos, menus, and many other types of material relating to clubs and societies, events and general life in College.
The Chandrakala & Mansukhlal Shah Building, the new home for the Robinson College Archive, was officially opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Sunday, 3 July 2022. Hosted by the Warden, Sir Richard Heaton KCB, and attended by many of the donors who had contributed to the building, it was a very special occasion.
The Advent Carol Service was held on Sunday 27th November 2022 at 16:00 in the College Chapel. With a series of carols, hymns and readings, the congregation celebrated the beginning of Advent and the Christmas story.
Thank you to all those who joined us on Saturday 3 December to celebrate the start of the holiday season in the company of the College Choir and student instrumentalists.